2000 XJ8 Failsafe Engine Mode
Discussion
This amber light came on briefly just as I'd pulled up outside the bank to get some cash out - I was actually turning the key at the time to switch off so couldn't catch it (so to speak)
The only thing different I'd been doing (believe it or not) was playing a CD very loudly.
Restarted the car and everything is fine.
I'm wondering if it's a fabled Jag spurious warning and that doing a hard re-set by disconnecting the battery might help in due course (see my note elsewhere about loss of electrics turning out to be a bad battery earth)
Thoughts?
I'll onviously keep an eye out for anything untoward but have read plenty on t'internet that seems to suggest it's not too much to worry over most times.
If I wanted to scan the car for fault codes in the future , what sort is useable for a mug like me?
The only thing different I'd been doing (believe it or not) was playing a CD very loudly.
Restarted the car and everything is fine.
I'm wondering if it's a fabled Jag spurious warning and that doing a hard re-set by disconnecting the battery might help in due course (see my note elsewhere about loss of electrics turning out to be a bad battery earth)
Thoughts?
I'll onviously keep an eye out for anything untoward but have read plenty on t'internet that seems to suggest it's not too much to worry over most times.
If I wanted to scan the car for fault codes in the future , what sort is useable for a mug like me?
Edited by BigNige on Sunday 18th January 18:02
Do some checks as soon as you can - oil, coolant and have a look round the engine bay and careful listen to the engine when it's running.
If you can't find anything wrong then chances are it's a random indication. I've had odd faults flash up in the past on mine - including gearbox fail/restricted performance - when driving through a downpour over 200 miles away from home, when there's been nothing wrong.
XJ8s are a bit prone to random fault messages but if you're worried get the car scanned on the Jaguar WDS to retrieve the fault code and go from there.
If you can't find anything wrong then chances are it's a random indication. I've had odd faults flash up in the past on mine - including gearbox fail/restricted performance - when driving through a downpour over 200 miles away from home, when there's been nothing wrong.
XJ8s are a bit prone to random fault messages but if you're worried get the car scanned on the Jaguar WDS to retrieve the fault code and go from there.
Thanks guys.
Have done all the checks around the engine etc and everything is fine.
Have also done some more digging and apart from the phantom showings of the warning it would seem there are 2 main reasons - brake switch and cruise control.
So will keep an eye out and maybe get the car scanned for fault codes as well.
cheers

Have done all the checks around the engine etc and everything is fine.
Have also done some more digging and apart from the phantom showings of the warning it would seem there are 2 main reasons - brake switch and cruise control.
So will keep an eye out and maybe get the car scanned for fault codes as well.
cheers

I must say I was a little worried when I read this one!
I experienced the same problem last year in my old XJ (the one that's off road currently); I had selected cruise, and then the same message appeared.
Likewise, after turning the car off and then on re-start, it mysterially disappeared. A bit dis-concerting I thought, but carried for another 2/3 weeks with no problem.
Then.....the dreaded gearbox fault message appeared.....and car in limp home mode!
I'm not suggesting that this it'll what'll happen for one minute, but just brought all the nightmare back to me again!
I just hope it's a glitch for you; like Steve said, it's probably wise to read the codes if you're worried.
You can buy code readers from www.talktomycar.co.uk
I got one and it's proved a great buy!
I experienced the same problem last year in my old XJ (the one that's off road currently); I had selected cruise, and then the same message appeared.
Likewise, after turning the car off and then on re-start, it mysterially disappeared. A bit dis-concerting I thought, but carried for another 2/3 weeks with no problem.
Then.....the dreaded gearbox fault message appeared.....and car in limp home mode!
I'm not suggesting that this it'll what'll happen for one minute, but just brought all the nightmare back to me again!

I just hope it's a glitch for you; like Steve said, it's probably wise to read the codes if you're worried.
You can buy code readers from www.talktomycar.co.uk
I got one and it's proved a great buy!
Just checked the site and they seemed to have up-dated it since I bought mine. 
I seem to remember paying around £50 for it, but in general, if there's not one on that site, just google a search for an OBDII reader to try and secure the best deal.
They all seem to work in the same manner.
It's better than paying someone to do it for you....before I had one; I paid £25 just to retreive the codes!
Good luck and let us know how you get on

I seem to remember paying around £50 for it, but in general, if there's not one on that site, just google a search for an OBDII reader to try and secure the best deal.
They all seem to work in the same manner.
It's better than paying someone to do it for you....before I had one; I paid £25 just to retreive the codes!
Good luck and let us know how you get on

Have found even more about this and it turns out that if it's a cruise control fault it's probably the throttle body that's at fault.
The good news is that Jaguar will replace it free of charge, even after all these years, if it hasn't been done before.
See here
http://jaguarforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=19162&...
I for one will be ringing Grange tomorrow.
The good news is that Jaguar will replace it free of charge, even after all these years, if it hasn't been done before.
See here
http://jaguarforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=19162&...
I for one will be ringing Grange tomorrow.

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